Dietary supplement containing Alkaline Electrolyte buffers

ABSTRACT

An improved dietary and/or therapeutic supplement composition comprising a quantity of a dietary and/or therapeutic supplement agent having a pH that upon ingestion with food or a beverage would limit the effectiveness of the agent and a sufficient amount of an alkaline electrolyte additive is provided in combination with the agent to raise the pH of the composition to a level of from about 8 to about 12.5 to increase the effectiveness and functional utilization of the agent while the composition is in the person&#39;s stomach. In a preferred composition, the electrolyte additive is selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium and potassium electrolytes. The supplement composition may be in the form of tablet, capsule, powder or liquid forms. The supplement composition is designed to provide for optimum utilization of a dietary and/or therapeutic supplement agent when taken orally with food or a beverage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of Ser. No. 10/679,535, filed Oct. 3,2003, which is incorporated into the present application by referencethereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improve dietary or therapeuticsupplements for improving a person's health and well-being, and to amethod for neutralizing deleterious acid conditions that occur when aperson ingests foods and beverages in conjunction with therapeuticdietary supplements. As a result, an excessive acid condition in theperson's stomach that could interfere with the beneficial effect of thedietary supplement is avoided. Dietary and therapeutic supplements suchas herbs, and certain compounds known to promote health and well-beingare utilized more efficiently in an alkaline environment.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It has been widely accepted that dietary therapeutic supplements arerecommended for a variety of the healing properties and for boosting thebody's natural abilities to react to disease and protect the body'snatural function. It has also been widely accepted that the bodyrequires certain pH balances in various systems within the body, such asblood stream, stomach, various organs, skin, etc. The ability of thebody to properly digest and utilize various nutrients from food,beverages or from dietary supplements, is directly related to the pH ofthe body and its various systems.

Many dietary and therapeutic supplements contain directions that theyshould be taken with a meal. In fact, most doctors, such as those caringfor women who might be pregnant, when prescribing such supplements,indicate to the patients that the supplement should be taken with meals.Even when supplements and medicines are taken on an empty stomach with abeverage, the ability to digest and adsorb are dependent upon pHstability.

Literature references such as Reverse Aging (Sang Whang), Alkalize orDie (Dr. Theodore Baroody) and Acid and Alkaline (Herman Aihara),indicate that most of the food and beverages ingested at meals leads toan acid pH in the body. The body then attempts to counteract theseconditions by releasing alkaline buffers stored in the body toneutralize pH in the body's various systems to a “normal” range for thatsystem, i.e. blood, stomach, urine, colon, pancreas, adrenals etc.Additionally, the body utilizes any alkaline pH nutrient that isingested with the meal to balance the pH. However, the naturallyoccurring buffers in the body are normally inadequate to assure that theutilization environment of the supplement in an individual's body issufficiently alkaline to protect the supplement agent.

There is a large consumer market for products that include, for example,calcium carbonate and/or magnesium oxide to aid in counteracting theacid pH that results from digestion of foods and beverages thus causingacid toxic waste in a person's body. Additionally, devices have beenprovided for consumer use such as machines that produce alkaline waterto aid in these acid conditions, and products created to aid with thisproblem (such as Acid pHree™).

In the Whang (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,306,511 and 5,914,130), the patenteestates that the elimination of acid wastes from the body is greatlyenhanced through the use of alkaline water and alkaline minerals in theform of sodium and potassium bicarbonate. Additionally, claims are madeto prevent increased acidity in various systems of the body through theuse of blood buffers and to aid the body's pH value from experiencingextreme fluctuations. The acid toxic waste is believed to be the primaryor major contributing factor in certain adult degenerative states in thebody such as diabetes and kidney disease.

Whang further asserts in the '511 and '130 patents that by maintaining ablood buffer, and resisting changes in hydrogen ion concentrations, apositive effect is realized by balance and stabilization of pH in thebody. Whang also indicates that it is not only the amount of mineralstaken that is a factor, but also the mating that is significant.

In the Homack U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,346, patentee discloses an additivefor beverages which includes potassium hydroxide and a mixture ofelectrolyte ions such as the alkaline minerals (sodium, potassium,calcium and magnesium) in various forms (hydroxides, chlorides,carbonates, gluconates, bicarbonates, phosphates, sulfates, chelates,di-phosphates, oxides and stearates). Homack's additive is said to beuseful for increasing the normally acidic pH of the beverage to a valueof 9.5 to as much as 14.0 in beverages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a unique dietary and/or therapeuticsupplement composition for promoting a person's health and well-being,and to a method of enhancing the utilization of such supplements byincorporation of a sufficient quantity of alkaline buffering agents inthe supplement to increase the ability of the body to more readilyaccept and utilize all of the supplement healing agents at a moreabsorbable level. This invention may be utilized in tablet, capsule,powder or liquid forms. A preferred supplement formulation is in tabletform, although essentially equivalent results may be obtained with aliquid supplement.

The improved dietary and/or therapeutic supplement composition of thepresent invention comprises a combination of a supplement that promoteshealth and well-being in conjunction with alkaline minerals and/orelectrolytes which function as buffers upon ingestion of the supplement,particularly when the supplement is taken at mealtime. The improvedsupplement composition stabilizes the pH ranges in the person's body toacceptable levels, and minimizes pH fluctuations in the user's stomach,particularly when the supplements are taken at mealtime, so thatsupplements or medicaments may be utilized appropriately at optimumlevels. The additives for the supplement composition may be combinedwith supplements of choice which address the preventative or healingtask required. The improved supplement composition hereof further mayinclude appropriate amounts of vitamins in various forms, as forexample, Vitamin C, which effectively aid the body in the utilization ofcertain dietary supplements. There is mounting evidence that supplementswhich are ingested in combination with Vitamin C provides better patientresults.

The present invention comprises an improved dietary and/or therapeuticsupplement composition in combination, a quantity of a dietary and/ortherapeutic supplement agent having a pH that upon ingestion would limitthe effectiveness of the agent, and a sufficient amount of anelectrolyte additive in combination with the agent to raise the pH ofthe combination to a level of at least about 8 to increase theeffectiveness of the agent upon ingestion of the composition.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide animproved supplement composition and method of enhancing thefunctionality of dietary supplements for optimum utilization of thesupplement agent(s) by the various systems of the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved supplementcomposition which assists in developing a more alkaline environmentinside the body for enhancement of the excretion of acid toxic waste.

Another object of the invention is to provide a better environment forsupplement agents during the digestion process and for the movement ofdietary supplements throughout the body. The alkaline electrolytes addedto the supplement are preferably one or more of the four electrolytesnormally present in the body and that enable fluid to moveextracellular, intercellular and intracellular.

Another object of the invention is to combine a number of desirabledietary and/or therapeutic supplement agents with alkaline buffers thatare present in respective proper ratios as required by the body topermit most effective utilization of the supplement, so that a personcan buy the combined supplement composition and need not buy severalseparate bottles of supplements to achieve the same goal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a supplement compositionthat creates a better pH range overall in the body, so that the body isnot losing buffering agents at an undesirable rapid pace, thus aidingthe body in decreasing the degree and rate of the aging and diseaseprocesses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved supplement composition andmethod for improving the utilization by a person of supplements whichpromote healing and well-being of a person upon ingestion of thesupplement composition. Moreover, the invention supplies electrolytebuffers that are essential for health (one to four alkaline minerals,all of which are electrolytes required for functioning of the body).

The supplement composition of the present invention is operable toenhance stabilization of pH in the person's body, to decreasefluctuations of pH in a person's system, to reduce acid toxic waste, andto improve the balance and level of alkaline minerals and increase thebuffering capabilities of electrolytes.

There is evidence that for a therapeutic supplement such asmethylsulfonylmethane (“MSM”) to properly and efficiently function asexpected, an acid pH in the person's digestive system has an adverseeffect on the functionality of the MSM. Also, it has been establishedthat the body requires alkaline minerals to perform functions inaddition to the raising of pH and the buffering of acid toxic waste. Forexample, it is known that calcium is required for rebuilding bone massand that a lack of usable calcium may result in disease such asosteoporosis. A less known, but nevertheless important fact, is thatmagnesium is required by the body to properly utilize the calcium and toaid in the prevention of heart attacks. The initiative in this area ofstudy has been done by Paul Mason of Patterson, Calif. The NationalAcademy of Sciences (NAS) is conducting a study for the FDA on thedietary benefits of calcium and magnesium. Mr. Mason has asserted thatthere is a global pattern of disease from a deficiency in magnesium.Research at the California Department of Health Services has suggestedthat the addition of 10 ml to 30 mg/liter of magnesium to water per daymay account for a significant drop that is being experienceddemographically in the rate of heart disease. It is also well known thatalkaline minerals are required by the body in amounts that are notnormally ingested from an individual's normal diet. Sodium is theexception, as many Americans ingest more sodium in their daily food thanrequired, due to increasingly high intake of processed foods andrestaurant food.

When a therapeutic supplement is needed for preventive and healingproperties, and the supplement is taken with a meal (as often indicatedby the directions for that supplement, by the healing practitioner, orby habit), the body must first be able to:

A. Digest the food and beverage

B. Buffer the acid waste

C. Carry and potentiate the supplement throughout the body

D. Retain potency of the supplement to be utilized for its intendedpurpose, rather then by being used by the body as a buffering agentfirst.

The constituency, amount and relative ratios of supplements to provide adesired therapeutic effect, and the form in which the supplements aretaken may vary, often depending upon the minimum level of RDA for atleast certain of the supplements, as well as the nature of the conditionbeing alleviated by the substance. Thus, in providing an optimal pHbalance in the person's body, upon ingestion of supplements and thelike, the pH of the supplement or medicament itself and the balancerequired by the body (Guyton, Textbook of Medical Physiology and Homack)must be taken into account.

In producing tablets, capsules, powders or liquids containing atherapeutic supplement that is useful for preventive or healthimprovement, the pH of the supplement or medicament itself must beconsidered first. Next, the pH value that is ideal for ingestion of thesupplement or medicament at the mealtime must be taken into account. Tothat end, appropriate alkaline electrolytes by weight are added to thesupplement agent as are required to provide an ideal pH in the person'sstomach upon ingestion of the supplement with the meal. The pH shouldalways be 8.0 or higher when the supplement composition is ingestedalong with a meal. The ideal range in the stomach is 8.0 to 10.5, butmay go as high as 12.5, depending upon the nature of the supplement ormedicine.

No change is made to the supplements themselves; the supplement agent(s)are combined with the requisite alkaline electrolytes in proper ratiosto manage factors A, B and D above. In order to improve the ability ofthe body to move the supplement through the blood stream, many companiespracticing the art, have combined their supplements with Vitamin C invarious forms, which is known to act as an oxidizing agent and to aid inmoving the various nutrients throughout the bloodstream by increasingthe oxygen. Studies indicate that use of Vitamin C in combination withsupplements aid in increased promotion of healing. Research waspublished in this area by Linus Pauling, winner of the Nobel Prize forchemistry and recipient of other major scientific honors. The companiesthat have not included Vitamin C in their formulas, many times suggestor indicate that taking Vitamin C in conjunction with their supplementis recommended, and research on the subject supports this theory.Research also indicates that the use of bioflavonoids potentiate andprotect the Vitamin C adsorption. The way that bioflavonoids increasethe effectiveness of Vitamin C is believed to be the way in which theyact to restore oxidized Vitamin C by working with glutathione.

Regarding the other 3 items (A, B and D), very little attention haspreviously been given to these matters.

Although sodium can be incorporated in the formulation as one of theelectrolytes, it is not preferred because most individuals alreadyexceed their need for sodium in the diet on a daily basis, which cancontribute to hypertension. The present invention, while allowing foruse of all of the electrolytes to boost pH in conjunction with othersupplements, preferably contains calcium, magnesium and potassium, asthese tend to be lacking in the diets of many people.

By combining one of the alkaline electrolytes (potassium, calcium,magnesium, and sodium) in the mix of the dietary and/or therapeuticsupplement, the body utilizes the electrolyte component(s) to balanceacidity and eliminate toxic waste, thereby allowing the nutrient orsupplement to be fully utilized for its intended objective. Movement ofthe dietary supplement is also improved by the provision of theelectrolytes: intracellular, intercellular and extracellular. Thisfurther contributes to the increased utilization of the dietarysupplement.

There are many therapeutic supplements that benefit from the presentinvention. Two exemplary supplement agents are glucosamine and MSM(methylsulfonylmethane).

Glucosamine is naturally occurring as a mucopolysaccharide in the bodyand is required to produce chondroitin. Found in the body in synovialfluid (which lubricates joints), glucosamines are subunits ofglucosamino glycans (GAG's). These are synthesized from glutamine andcarbohydrate. The amino acid must be replaced in the diet or by adietary supplement, to stimulate the body's production of hyaluronicacids (HA's). These products have analgesic effects and promote theanabolic behavior in chrondrocytes. With diseases of age, the HAconcentration tends to become depleted and replacement with glucosamineis believed to aid in long term repair. It has been suggested thatglucosamine functions to build ligaments, increase fluid in the joints,and improve heart valves, tendons, eyes, nails, skin, digestive tractmembranes and bone.

Chondroitin sulfates are commonly combined with glucosamines because ofa perceived synergistic effect obtained with the combination. The pHrange for this type of combined supplement is typically around 3.34 toabout 3.39. Upon ingestion of the glucosamine/chondroitin formulation,the body immediately seeks to adjust the pH balance, resulting indepletion in electrolytes from the user's system, causing more toxicwaste, and elimination of a portion of the therapeutic supplement.

Combining glucosamine/chondroitin with designed amounts of lessexpensive, high pH electrolyte minerals in accordance with the presentinvention, aids in balancing the pH in the body without depletion ofintracellular and extracellular electrolytes from the body and serves toenhance elimination of acid toxic waste. The alkaline material buffersthese acids, so that the glucosamine may benefit the problem of the bodywith the rapid movement of the supplement into all cell structures ofthe body (intracellular, extracellular and intercellular). The same istrue for chondroitin sulfates, which are, in the practice of the art,commonly tableted with the glucosamine. The pH range for this type ofcombined supplement is typically around 3.34-3.39. If the alkalineelectrolytes are not incorporated with the supplement and are takenseparately from the supplement, the body will immediately release theintra and extracellular buffers, causing more acid toxin waste, and theelimination of a portion of the supplement with the waste.

Additionally, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are administeredfor their ability to decrease pain in joints, which for example resultsfrom arthritic conditions (U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,715, Florio). When acombination of glucosamine and chondroitin is taken along with food orbeverage as directed, the resulting increase in body acid due to pHvalue of foods and beverages, has an adverse effect on the effectivenessof the active ingredient supplement. This increase in body acid hasanother deleterious effect in that it also tends to cause additionaldeposits of toxins in the very areas of the body which are susceptibleto arthritic conditions. The glucosamine and chondroitin, which wereadministered to relieve the arthritic symptoms, are not as effective andthe toxins being generated which tend to deposit in the body's weakestareas are adding to the problem. (Whang and Aihara) Therefore, an addedbenefit is obtained by combining alkaline minerals with an activeingredient such as glucosamine and chondroitin because of the bufferingaction of the alkaline minerals which results in a part of the acidicdeposit eventually beginning to clear as the body corrects its pH.

Furthermore, by combining the relatively high pH alkaline electrolyteswith the dietary and/or therapeutic supplement, the body pH isimmediately stabilized and the supplement is moved through the systemwith the electrolytes for balancing and the movement of body fluids.Utilization of the supplement is at a much higher rate than wouldotherwise be the case if the formulation of the invention had been used.

Another primary example of the benefits of this invention is inconnection with the therapeutic supplement MSM (methylsulfonylmethane).MSM is an organic sulfur, generally found in a pH range of 7.2 to 7.4.In the body, sulfur is the fourth most prevalent mineral. The sulfur inthe body appears to be reduced during the aging process. At maturity,the levels of MSM found in the hormonal fluid may be as low as 0.5 ppm.In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,514,421, 4,559,329, 4,568,547, 4,973,605, and5,071,878, Herschler has claimed that a level of at least 1.0 ppm bemaintained for health and effective immune system. The skin, bones andmuscles of the body contain about ½ of the sulfur found in the totalbody. Sulfur is needed for producing collagen. Herschler states thatthere is evidence of the benefits of MSM for various health relatedconditions for animals and man. These include but are not limited to:human tissue pliancy; tumor control; formation of disulfide bonds forconnective tissue integrity; repair and restoration of damaged tissue;aid in reducing reaction to allergens; aid in relieving constipation;improving condition of arthritic patients; relieving cramping and sores;reducing hypertension; and many other benefits. Other literature sourcesindicate that sulfur is required for the creation of new cells, repairof tissue, cartilage, and organs and is found as a component in theblood.

Herschler and other sources indicate that studies were performed withMSM alone compared with MSM plus Vitamin C. Patients taking thecombination responded more quickly to treatment. Herschler alsopresented information indicating that the sulfur present in the foodstuffs are highly volatile and processing or cooking effect theavailability for the body in order to replace the sulfur, MSM is apreferred embodiment for use in the body.

Dr. S. W. Jacob, in Am. Acad. Meri. Pred., 1983, the current status ofMSM medicine has recommended to control hyperacidity and heartburn.Jacob's recommendation is 3000 mg per day. Because MSM is relativelyexpensive, it is not a practical antacid.

When MSM, taken as a dietary supplement, is combined with the alkalineelectrolytes in proper ratios for use by the body, the pH of the tablet,powder, capsule or liquid is increased substantially. A preferred MSMtablet formulation in accordance with the present invention is:

In each of two tablets:

1000 mg MSM (standard recommended dose—although

ranges are given for body weight)

780 mg Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) & 20 mg Bioflavonoid

(Vitamin P, to Potentiate Vitamin C)

100 mg Calcium Carbonate

50 mg Potassium Gluconate

50 mg Magnesium Oxide

with appropriate binders and coatings, well known to those skilled inthe art of tableting.

In the example above, the pH of the tablet is significantly increased.In addition, a recommended dose of Vitamin C for this particularsupplement is provided. Normally the pH of the ascorbic acid is about3.23 and the pH of the MSM about 7.2. Thus, a necessary element whichaids in rapid promotion of healing is included in the formulation and atthe same time the pH of the tablet is increased to about 8.63 byincorporation of required electrolyte constituents in proper ratios.This is a preferred pH range for the combined supplement and electrolytecomposition to be taken prior to mealtime to counteract the acid wastesof the digestion process and falls within the range for a betterutilization of supplements. In certain instances, it may be desirable toincrease the pH to an even higher value by adding a greater amount ofrespective alkaline minerals as described above, or by utilizing otherforms of these minerals, such as hydroxides, sulfates, carbonates,bicarbonates, gluconates, oxides, stearates, chelates, di-phosphates,chlorides and phosphates.

In the MSM example above, the pH has been substantially increased toprevent extreme fluctuation of the pH in the body at mealtime, thusenabling the MSM to be more efficiently utilized by the body to performthe task/tasks for which the supplement targeted. With the presentinvention, hyperacidity/heartburn as discussed by Dr. Jacob has beenmanaged, and permitting the more expensive MSM supplement to targetother problems. Since the pH of MSM is typically lower than the pH ofthe four alkaline mineral additives in any form, a smaller quantity ofthe alkaline minerals are required to accomplish the same goal ofcontrolling hyperacidity at a much lower cost because of thedifferential in price of MSM and alkaline mineral additives.

In a study of patients taking pure MSM for therapeutic relief ofarthritic conditions it was found that by administering the MSM in theformulation described above, the amount of the MSM required to obtainrelief was cut in half over those patients taking pure MSM.

In another formulation, glucosamine and MSM are combined for theirrespective healing properties and pain relief. Additional supplementsknown for pain and joint relief are included, such as Boswellia extract,dl-phenylalaine, ginseng extract, ginkgo biloba extract and boragepowder.

MSM—Glucosamine Capsule Formula

500 mg glucosamine sulfate

900 mg MSM

20 mg 20% Boswellia extract

100 mg dl-phenylalanine

60 mg ascorbic acid

5 mg citrus bioflavonoids

50 mg magnesium carbonate

50 mg potassium carbonate

100 mg calcium gluconate

10 mg 5:1 ginseng extract

10 mg 24% ginkgo biloba

15 mg pyroxdine hydrochloride

180 mg 10% gla borage powder

In the above formulation, the constituent ingredients that minimize andrelieve pain are combined with the ascorbic acid, biflavonoids andpyroxdine hydrochloride (synergistic constituents) and are measured forcombined pH, the value obtained is 3.75. When the alkaline constituentsare added to the active ingredients, the pH value is increased to 8.0.This allows the body to counteract the negative effects of acid toxinsthus decreasing body acid toxins and allowing the active constituents tobe more fully utilized and falls within the optimal therapeutic range.

Other kinds of dietary or therapeutic supplements can be utilized atgreater levels by the body if the body's pH balance is stabilized in theappropriate pH ranges, and this can occur even at mealtime when thesupplements are ingested by utilizing in accordance with the improvedsupplement composition of the present invention. In many respects, theactual pH of the supplement or medicine is not the controlling issue,other than that the electrolyte additives shift the pH rangesubstantially upwards to facilitate the movement of the supplement andaid the body in the ability to more fully utilize the supplement. Someof these supplements include, but are not limited to:

Vitamins such as B3, B complex, B12, C, niacin and the like.

Minerals and trace minerals zinc, copper, boron and similar elements.

Enzymes such as pepsin, CoEnzyme Q10 and others.

Amino Acids such as L-Taurine, L-Lysine and more.

Whole food products containing phytonutrients used as dietarysupplement,

such as the “Complete Fruit and Vegetable Formula” of HealingMD, Inc.,

Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Herbs and herbal extracts.

Beneficial bacterial and yeast products for replication in theintestinal tract

such as lactobacillus acidophilus.

Mixed dietary and therapeutic supplements and other nutrient productssuch

as mixtures of the above listed constituent ingredients.

Certain medicaments may also be improved through the use of theseelectrolytes, particularly when the movement of the therapeutic agentthroughout the body quickly is a desirable attribute.

Examples of the pH of dietary or therapeutic supplements prior tocombination with required amounts of useful alkaline minerals are setforth in the table below. When an individual takes any one of thesesupplements with the meal, the body begins the digestion process of thesupplement and the meal and the body begins to try to eliminate the acidtoxic waste and buffer the system. The body will utilize any buffer thatcan be found within the food, supplement, and after that will begin todraw the alkaline minerals from within the system itself. Therefor, byproviding the alkaline buffer in combination with the dietary ortherapeutic supplement, substantially all of the supplement is retainedintact, to aid in healing, for preventive medicine, to assist in thedigestion and elimination process and to slow down the problemsassociated with acid pH, as described by Hornack, Whang, Baroody andAihara.

Table of pH of exemplary of dietary and/or therapeutic supplements

1 B Complex 7.2 Ascorbic Acid 3.23 Soy Lecithin 6.8 Emu Oil 6.5 Zinc 3.5St. John's Wart 4.9 Slippery Elm Bark 4.1 Glucosamine 5.5 Gingko BilboaLeaf Extract 5.1 Niacin 3.4 Vitamin E 6.1 Multivitamins 5.0-6.0

The pH ranges of the alkaline minerals that are preferably included as apart of a dietary or therapeutic supplement composition in the method ofthe present invention are from 7.2 to 14.0. These include potassium(9.69 and up depending upon the form of potassium); magnesium (7.20 andup depending upon the form of magnesium); and calcium (8.28 and updepending upon the form of calcium). Although sodium is not included inthe preferred formulation because most people in the United Statesalready have too much sodium in their diets, sodium as an electrolytemay be included in the supplement composition in those instances wherecertain individuals need more sodium. For example, for those in need ofsupplemental sodium beyond what is available in their normal diet, orfor athletes who may require more sodium, then a sodium electrolyte canbe incorporated in the dietary and/or therapeutic supplement compositionas an additional component to raise the pH of the composition. Anexample of sodium used by athletes for adding immediate electrolytes,moving fluids, and aiding in reducing lactic acid is Gatorade™.

The pH range preferred (8.0-12.5) can be obtained by using the aboveminerals in any of the forms available that are approved forpharmaceutical, food grade or potable use. Depending upon thecombination of supplements in a tablet, capsule, liquid or powderformula, the amount of the alkaline minerals and the form of thealkaline minerals may be adjusted as required.

Preferred embodiments of combinations of electrolytes in accordance withthe present invention, include but are not limited to the followingratios, on a weight to weight basis:

Ca/Mg/K

2/1/1

2/1/1.5

2/1/2

1/0.5/1

1/0.75/1

2/0.75/2

2/1.25/2

1/0.5/0.5

2/0.75/0.75

2/1.25/0.75

The amount of magnesium should equal at least 30% to 100% of thecalcium. Since there are many calcium supplements on the market todaythat do not include magnesium, the present invention in that instanceboosts the ratio of the mg/ca, thus aiding in the proper digestion of Caingested in other supplements or in the calcium fortified food products.

The amount of potassium electrolyte levels can vary, depending on thesupplement that is combined with the potassium additive. Providing asubstantial dose of potassium in the formulation assists incounteracting the effects of too much sodium in a person's body, byproviding a proper balance of the two elements.

The mineral electrolyte additive or the dietary and/or therapeuticsupplement transport as electrolytes throughout the body, giving theincreased advantage of easily moving the digested supplements ormedicaments along extracellular, intracellular and intercellular paths.

A preferred liquid composition

1. A method of improving the availability of a dietary, and/orsupplement agent that is ingested with food or a beverage consistingessentially of the steps of: providing a quantity of a solid dietaryand/or therapeutic supplement agent selected from the group consistingof water soluble acidic vitamins, bioflavonoids, minerals, traceminerals, whole plant food products containing phytonutrients, herbs,and mixtures of the foregoing that are known to promote health and wellbeing and each having a pH of 6 or less which upon ingestion with foodor a beverage would limit the availability of the agent to the personingesting the agent; and adding a sufficient amount of an alkalineelectrolyte additive selected from the group consisting of calcium,magnesium and potassium electrolytes, a sufficient amount of thealkaline electrolyte additive being provided in combination with theagent to raise the pH of the combination to a pH of from about 8 toabout 12.5 such that upon ingestion of the alkaline composition withfood or a beverage, the presence of the alkaline electrolyte additiveincreases the effectiveness and functional utilization of the agentwhile the alkaline composition is in the person's stomach by enhancingrapid extracellular, intercellular, and intracellular movement of theagent into all cell structures of the person's body.
 2. A method as setforth in claim 1 wherein a sufficient amount of said alkalineelectrolyte additive is added to the composition to cause the pH thereofto be in the range of about 8 to about 10.5.
 3. A method as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said electrolyte additive is selected from the groupconsisting of hydroxides, chlorides, chelates, di-phosphates, oxides,stearates, carbonates, gluconates, bicarbonates, phosphates and sulfatesof calcium, magnesium and potassium.